When you visit a movie theater, the first thing you will see is the sign announcing the name of the theater. These signs are an important part of the branding and marketing of a theater.
As such, they come in many shapes, sizes and styles. But no matter what they look like, there is one thing that is consistent: they all have a name – and it turns out that this name has an official name: a marquee.
What Is A Marquee?
A marquee is defined as “a large sign mounted on or near a theater entrance that displays information about current and upcoming films”. It is typically illuminated with lighting and may include additional items such as movie posters, advertisements for concessions, or even a scrolling list of showtimes.
The origin of the word “marquee” dates back to 18th century France. In those days, it was used to describe an ornamental canopy over the entrance to a building or structure. Over time, this usage evolved until it came to refer specifically to movie theaters.
Marquees Of The Past
Marquees have long been an integral part of movie-going experiences. In fact, some of the most iconic marquees in history were created in the mid-20th century when theaters began using neon signs to draw attention to their establishments. From there, marquees grew increasingly elaborate – featuring rotating letters, flashing lights and other eye-catching elements – until they reached their peak in the 1970s.
Modern Marquees
Today’s marquees are much more sophisticated than their predecessors. For example, many now incorporate digital technology that allows them to be updated quickly with new movies and showtimes as well as interactive elements like touchscreens or even video screens.
Conclusion
So next time you see that big sign outside your local movie theater announcing what’s playing this week, you can thank it for its official title: marquee!
To summarize – The sign outside a movie theater is called a marquee – it originated from 18th century France where it was used for ornamental canopies over buildings or structures until it came to refer specifically to movie theaters. Marquees have long been an integral part of going to the movies but have evolved over time from neon signs in mid 20th century to modern digital marquees which can quickly be updated with new movies and showtimes as well as interactive elements like touchscreens or video screens.